Motor Launch 916
The Fairmile B motor launch was a type of motor launch built by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine during the Second World War for the Royal Navy for coastal operations.Detailed design and production was taken on by Fairmile.
Like all their designs it was based on total prefabrication so individual components could be contracted out to small factories for production and these arranged as kits that would be delivered to various boatyards for assembly and fitting out.
Altogether approximately 650 boats were built between 1940 and 1945. Like the A Type, the B Type were initially intended as submarine chasers, so the boats were fitted with ASDIC (sonar) as standard. Their main armament initially reflected their anti-submarine focus, with 12 depth charges, a single QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss gun aft, and one set of twin 0.303-in machine guns. The specifications given are for the original 1940 British version. As the war moved on, the vessels were adapted to other roles and the armament was modified and upgraded such as the replacement of the 3 pounder with one or more 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and removal of the ASDIC dome for more clearance as minesweepers. Some boats were configured as motor torpedo boats.
Motor Launch 916 "Wildfire" struck off a mine on the Schelde, off Walsoorden on 08-11-1944.
18 Men were killed, 14 are missing since, there were 2 survivors.
Name: Buttery, John Edward
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Age:21
No.D/KX 139057
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of William and Sarah Buttery, of Longton, Staffordshire
Plymouth memorial Panel: 89-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Hatliff, Jack
Rank: Petty Officer Motor Mechanic
Age:23
No.P/MX 77888
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Clarence and Edith Hatliff
Portsmouth memorial Panel: 86-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: MacKintosh, Walter
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:225
No.D/JX 186952
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of John Malcolm MacKintosh and Edith MacKintosh, of Newcastle-on-tyne
Plymouth memorial Panel: 87-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Scales, William Frederick
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:25
No.P/JX 321222
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Robert Scales and Elizabeth Scales, of Stratford, Essex
Portsmouth memorial Panel: 83-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Wood, Edward
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:22
No.C/JX 354280
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of James and Ann Wood, husband of Alice .M.R. Wood, of Boddam, Aberdeenshire
Chatham memorial Panel: 76-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Dobson, George
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Age:22
No.C/KX 152552
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Rose Dobson, of Gateshead, Co Durham
Chatham memorial Panel: 77-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Homewood, Royce Thomas
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:
No.P/JX 298631
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of George Homewood, of Tottenham, London
Portsmouth memorial Panel: 82-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Newson, Frederick George
Rank: Ordinary Telegraphist
Age:17
No.P/JX 624883
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Alfred Henry and Annie Newson, of Reading, Berkshire
Portsmouth memorial Panel: 84-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Thomas, Adrian Lloyd
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:22
No.C/JX 220363
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Robert Leslie and Phylis Agnes Thomas, of Hereford
Chatham memorial Panel: 76-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Haller, Sydney
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:23
No.D/JX 151027
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Herbert and Alice Haller, of Wombell, Yorkshire
Plymouth memorial Panel: 86-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Lay, Ernest
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Age:19
No.C/JX 557641
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Arthur Ernest and Isabella Ann Lay, of Highworth, Wiltshire
Chatham memorial Panel: 76-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Oakton, Thomas Maurice
Rank: Leading Seaman
Age:
No.P/SSX 25460
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: Husband of Isabella Oakton, of Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire
Portsmouth memorial Panel: 81-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.
Name: Ward, Alfred Graham
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:21
No.C/JX 375220
Missing since: 08-11-1944
Next of Kin: son of Alfred Christopher and Rose Clementina Ward, of New Malden, Surrey
Chatham memorial Panel: 76-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at Schelde, off Walsoorden.